Cowboys Prepare For Super Regional

by Rick Pendergraft

"I truly believe that everyday's a new day." said Oklahoma State Head Baseball Coach Josh Holliday, "However that day unfolds is dictated by that guy on the mound and the energy in the group."So far in this NCAA Baseball Tournament the Cowboys have been the team with the most energy. They swept their regional and are hosting a super-regional for the first time in program history. They're facing another team that carry's with it a lot of mojo, UC Irvine. The Anteaters knocked off the nation's #1 seed Oregon State and has a lot of people talking. But Coach Holliday says that means nothing."They probably have great energy, but so do we. Look what we just did. Look what we've been doing all year. Our kids feel like people don't appreciate us and what we've done. I kind of agree with them to be honest with you. We've won 48 games I guess it is. Second most in the country. I just think it's awesome competition. I look at competition as that moment in time on the field and how you handle it. How people get here that's pretty fun to cover right and look at. Seeding and all that stuff, obviously the people that thought they had it all figured out were wrong on almost all of it. It means nothing. It's that day, on that piece of dirt for that three hours of time. And who's ever in the moment and can compose themselves to play well, they win."The Cowboys are just two wins away from reaching the College World Series for the first time since 1999. It's a place Oklahoma State used to frequent quite often and this current squad is pretty pumped about the possibility of taking the program back to Omaha."Growing up a Cowboys I remember watching Josh (Holliday) in the College World Series in 1999 and how exciting that was." said OSU Pitch Trey Cobb, "Growing up watching Josh Fields and all those guys and even being in the same breathe on the team that they were it's still a lot to wrap my head around right now."Cowboys infielder Donnie Walton has heard all about the glory days being the son of former OSU pitcher and current assistant coach Rob Walton. Following in his dad's foot-steps has been a dream."Hearing those stories growing up." said OSU infielder Donnie Walton, "Hearing (Pete) Incaviglia and (Robin) Ventura and him playing with those guys and going to Omaha four years in-a-row, and all the stories I've heard about them. I just wish I could have the opportunity to do the same thing and now we're here so it's a lot of fun."There is still plenty of work to be done before the Cowboys can make their travel plans, but the odds are definitely in their favor. OSU is currently riding a 10-game home winning streak.Game one of the super regional with UC Irvine gets underway at 8:30pm Friday evening in Stillwater at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. Game 2 will be Saturday at 9:00pm and if necessary a game 3 will be played Sunday at 8:00pm.